Vietnam has begun issuing level-2 electronic identification (e-ID) accounts to foreign residents. The initiative, officially launched today, is led by the Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Department in coordination with the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order.
The new system allows foreigners holding valid temporary or permanent residence permits to access a wide range of digital services through the VNeID mobile application. These services include banking transactions, property rental registration, and other public services, aiming to simplify administrative processes for Vietnam’s foreign resident community. This move aligns with the global shift toward digital identity systems, with Gartner forecasting that digital identity wallets could reach approximately 500 million users by 2026.
Process, Eligibility, and Legal Framework
Foreigners seeking a level-2 e-ID account must visit immigration offices under the Ministry of Public Security and present valid travel documents along with biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints. Applications are processed within three working days for individuals who have already provided biometric data to authorities. For new submissions, the process takes about seven working days. The program operates under the legal provisions of Decree 69/2024/ND-CP, issued in May 2024, which details the required forms, data fields, and processes for foreign e-ID registration.
Two specific groups of foreigners are required to register during the Ministry’s 50-day campaign, which runs until August 19, 2025: those whose residence cards expire after January 1, 2026, and those who intend to use digital public services in Vietnam. The level-2 e-ID also allows users to store and display an electronic version of their residence card within the VNeID app, reducing the need to carry physical documents for many administrative procedures.
Security, Privacy, and Early Reception
Vietnam’s Personal Data Protection Decree of 2023 governs the collection, storage, and processing of personal and biometric data collected through the e-ID system. Foreign applicants must give explicit consent when submitting biometric data for e-ID registration, ensuring privacy safeguards remain in place alongside enhanced security measures.
Colonel Nguyen Ba Tuan, Deputy Director of the Immigration Department, emphasized that the program is designed to help foreign residents feel more secure while living, working, or studying in Vietnam. In early feedback from users, Korean national Mr. Park HyungChe described the system as convenient and efficient, praising how quickly his application was processed during the pilot phase.
The initial pilot handled 333 successful applications, demonstrating the system’s readiness for broader implementation. Vietnam’s e-ID rollout forms part of a larger regional movement toward digital identity frameworks for migration and border governance, as governments work to balance security, efficiency, and privacy in managing foreign populations.
Sources: VietnamPlus, Vietnam.vn
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
